Nymphaea caerulea SACRED BLUE LOTUS (10 seeds)

Blue Lotus, or Nymphaea caerulea in Latin, is a fast-growing, perennial aquatic plant with low hardiness. It is native to the Nile in Africa and belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family.

This magnificent variety produces floating blue flowers approximately 7 to 15 cm in diameter during the summer. Its spectacular blue bloom opens during the day and closes at night. It is composed of numerous particularly thin petals with a yellow heart. The fragrance of this water lily is very delicate, subtle, and refined.

Blue Lotus seeds are round, gray, and small, generally measuring 2 millimeters in diameter.

This plant prefers calm, shallow waters and is often found in lakes, rivers, and marshes.

- Uses:

In Ancient Egypt, the blue lotus was associated with resurrection, divinity, and love. It was frequently used in religious ceremonies and as a symbol of purification.

The blue lotus contains active compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, which can have mild psychoactive effects. It is used in certain traditions for its relaxing and anxiolytic properties.

The flowers and leaves can be used to prepare infusions or decoctions to benefit from its soothing and sedative effects.

- Seed Germination and Sowing:

• The best time to sow blue lotus seeds is starting in May.
• Sow the seeds in a tray of fine compost mixed with previously moistened sand.
• Cover them with only 1 millimeter of substrate—no more.
• Place the tray in a waterproof container and add water until it covers the tray by 3 cm in height.
• Finally, place the container in a greenhouse in a warm, humid spot at a temperature between 25 and 30°C.
• Germination of the blue lotus will generally begin 3 to 4 weeks after planting.
• It is imperative to replace part of the water every 3 days to prevent the water in the container from stagnating.

- Soil Type / Substrate:

Nymphaea caerulea grows very well in nutrient-rich soil. A mixture of equal parts compost, sand, and gravel is ideal for promoting good aeration of the substrate.

- Exposure / Light:

Sacred Blue lotus plant requires a full sun exposure to grow correctly. It needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light per day to achieve optimal flowering.

- Temperatures / Hardiness:

This blue-flowered water lily variety prefers warm temperatures reaching 25 to 35°C for proper development. In temperate regions with cold winters, it is necessary to submerge the plant at a frost-free depth of at least 50 cm.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

Nymphaea caerulea reproduces mainly through the sowing of its seeds, but also through the division of its rhizomes.